Karnataka elections: All three parties taking voters for a ride, says former Lokayukta Justice Hegde

Illegal mining of iron ore in Ballari became the biggest issue when Karnataka went to polls in 2013. It was the investigation report of former
Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde that toppled the BJP government led by BS Yeddyurappa and also set the tone for the anti-corruption narrative before elections, five years ago. As the State goes to polls once again, ET’s
Naveen Menezes spoke to Justice Hegde on whether corruption is at an all-time high in this election.
Excerpts:

How do you see this year’s election compared to five years ago? Has corruption and malpractice hit an alltime high? I think it has reached a point of no return. All the three major parties have absolutely no respect for truth. Every one of them is twisting facts to suit their contention. In fact, the voters are taken for a ride. When the BJP had not implemented my report on illegal iron ore transportation, the Congress took out a protest march from Bengaluru to Ballari demanding its implementation. But when the Congress came to power in 2013, the party, instead of implementing the report, has denuded the institution (Lokayukta) by taking away its powers and setting up the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Many politicians, who figured in your report, are in the electoral fray with the BJP and Congress.Both political parties are corrupt, though each of them make allegations against the other. This is not a free and fair election at all. Giving tickets to those who are criminals and are corrupt shows that the political parties are not scared of the charges against candidates. Do they care about morality, honesty and truth? Nobody is bothered about this. Political parties calling each other corrupt is akin to a buffalo calling the other buffalo naked. Both are naked.

With all the political parties giving tickets to the corrupt and criminals, what’s the role of the electorate?Unfortunately, the electorate is not very well-informed. They have limited access to information. Secondly, many of them may not understand the gravity of it. For the ordinary voter, it’s a question of survival. They cast their vote based on who will help them out and which person is accessible. Cash and gifts are given to woo voters. We live in a society which respects money and power.

All political parties have promised to strengthen the Lokayukta. Your comment…It’s worse than a gimmick and an absolute lie. If they had the slightest respect for the Lokayukta, they would have provided security to the present Lokayukta. I came to know that seven letters were written in the last two years asking to provide security in the office. But not a reply was given. What does it indicate? There is no concern for the institution. Because it is an institution which investigates elected representatives and bureaucrats. Nobody wants it. They find every way to denude the institution.

Recently, the CBI closed a multi-crore mining scam report due to lack of evidence. Is it justified?Our investigation report had evidence for every case. The CBI is giving various excuses. They say the Tamil Nadu government is not cooperating while the CBI has every right to summon them. With regards to Goa, it is stated that the iron ore brought from Karnataka is mixed with that of Karnataka. And there is no data on the quantity of how much ore was excavated from Karnataka. It’s a silly reason. We have only found companies running away from paying royalty.

If Lokayukta was as strong as it was during your term, would there be more convictions now?If good prosecutors were to be given to the Lokayukta, I am sure there would be more convictions.